Riding with the Business Cycles

[SINGAPORE] Four teams - under the banner "Business Cycles" - will be representing The Business Times in the third iteration of its namesake Charity Challenge cycling event, a part of OCBC Cycle Singapore 2014.

The four-cyclist teams will be racing in the event that will raise funds for Dover Park Hospice and SingHealth Transplant TRUEfund.

The Business Times Charity Challenge will flag off from the F1 Pit Building at 6.15am on March 30 and cover a distance of 39 kilometres.

To prepare for the distance, the cyclist-journalists have already begun weekend training sessions at East Coast Park.

"Training has actually been a lot easier than expected. A lot of us were apprehensive about the distance but once we got into the rhythm we were able to achieve more than we thought we would," said journalist and team boss Mindy Tan.

The race has helped to bring people together, said Jacquelyn Cheok, who joined BT last year. "We never would have known there were so many avid cyclists in the newsroom!"

"Even people who cannot make the event are contributing in their own ways, from sharing equipment to offering advice," she added.

For numbers cruncher Kenneth Lim, the race is also a good opportunity to stretch his limbs: "Cycling for a good cause? That's a no-brainer, because you actually use your legs to cycle."

The Business Times Charity Challenge hopes to reach out to companies in supporting two worthy causes. Participants will get to start the race in a special pen, and will also enjoy on-site hospitality before and after the race. They will also enjoy fast-tracked cycle pack collection.

To register, companies make a minimum donation of $3,810 per four-man team, or $955 per person if cyclists choose to join the race individually.

All donations received will be split equally between Dover Park Hospice and SingHealth Transplant TRUEfund.

Journalist Kelly Tay said "the charitable aspect of this cycling challenge makes everything more meaningful".

"BT has been supporting these charities for several years now, and it's great to be able to help raise funds for eldercare and healthcare needs," said Ms Tay, who helps helm The Business Times' new charity column, Taking Heart, with Ms Tan.

Apart from Dover Park Hospice and SingHealth Transplant TRUEfund, OCBC Cycle Singapore 2014's official charities include Singapore Children's Society and SportCares (Singapore Sports Council).

Some 12,000 cyclists are expected to take part in this year's event, which marks the sixth year of OCBC Cycle Singapore.

Teams and individuals who wish to join The Business Times Charity Challenge may contact Ben Burrowes of race organiser Spectrum Worldwide Events at bburrowes@sww.com.sg to register for the event